United States Eventing Association

Fifty-seven horses will move on to the dressage phase of competition after the completion of the first horse inspection at the 15th Rolex/USEF CCI4* Championship. Fifty-eight horses were presented to the ground jury of Anne-Mette Binder (DEN), Nick Burton (GBR), Michel Asseray (FRA), and Charlotte Skinner (USA). The veterinary delegate Catherine Kohn, DVM (USA) was also present. The eight horses flown in for the competition were the first to be presented at 3 p.m. this afternoon; Fourteen total entries will compete representing countries other than the United States.

Diana Burnett (CAN) and Shigatzi as well as Kate Hicks and Belmont were held, but they passed on reinspection. Brittany Kart's mount Llewellyn, owned by the Kart family, was also held but was unfortunately not accepted upon reinspection. Phillip Dutton's second horse jogged, Bruce Duchossois' Mighty Nice, slipped on the jog lane and fell down. He was a bit dirty as a result but otherwise seemed no worse for wear and the ground jury was satisfied to let him continue.

The horses were sparkling clean, and the riders were well turned out, too. Karen O'Connor and Doug Payne were named best dressed and presented with a pair of Dubarry boots during an evening function at a nearby farm. Peter Barry won a Rolex watch in a drawing of names.

The dressage competition begins tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m.

View the photo gallery of the first horse inspection in the slideshow below or click here.

Leslie Threlkeld/USEA Photos